St. Paul daily globe. [volume] (Saint Paul, Minn.) 1884-1896, 1887-01-09
FIGHTING WITH DEATH
A Disastrous and Fatal Shipwreck On
the Virginia Coast Near
Cape Henry.
Unavailing Efforts of the Coast Guards
to Throw Line Over the
Doomed Vessel.
The Life Boats Manned and Connec-
ton Established With the
Strand ed Bark.
On the Return Trip All But Two Per-
sons Are Drowned--The
Republic Horror.

NORFOLK, Va, Jan. S.-One of the mos
disastrous shipWrecks which ever occurred
on the Virginia coast happened at 2 O'Clock
this morning near the Little Island life
saving station, fourteen miles south Of
Cape Henry. Not less than twenty, anC
probably more, lives were lost, among them
five life-saving men. who in the discharge
OF their duty were drowned. The morning
was bitterly cold and a binding snow storm
prevailed. with the wind blowing a gale
from the northeast. During It'll in the
storm the life saving patrol from Little
Island lfe-saving station sighted large
ship stranded on the bar, about 500 yards
from the shore. When he saw the vessel
he was going TO meet the patrol from Dam
Neck station and exchange shots, showing
that both patrolmen had been to the end of
their beat. The Dam Neck patrol was only
a few yards distant when the vessel was
sighted and both fired rockets TO notify the
crew Of the stranded ship that she had been
seen. They hurried back to their respective
stations and
GAVE THE ALARM.
In a little while both crews, with life
boats and apparatus were abreast of the
wreck, and the boom of mortar announced
that line had been shot out to the Inflated
vessel. The shot was unsuccessful, and a
second was fired with like result After
firing six unsuccessful shots the life-saving
men determined to brave the fearful sea and
death which seemed certain. The word of
command being given by Capt. Belanza, of
Life Saving Station No. 4, known as Little
Island. six of the most expert boatmen
manned each boat At his command the
men gave way with will, and i'll moment
both boats were breasting the furious
waves. They reached the ship in safety,
and five of the ships crew were taken in a
life-boat and ten in ships boat which was
launched for the purpose. The boats were
headed for a shore and not a word was
spoken, for each man realized the awful
danger With steady pull the two boats
were making good Roadway for the shore.
when wave Of great power struck both
bOaths,
CAPSIZING THEM INSTANTLY,
pitching their twenty-five occupants into
the sea- Then began a desperate struggle
for life and with many of the men it was a
prolonged one. The Mortified life savers on
the beach were powerless to assist their
drowning comrades or the unfortunate
strangers. The drowning men were carried
southwark by the seas and some of them
were washed ashore. AS they came within
reach they were picked up and endeavors
were made to revive them, and in two in
stances with success. although one of the
two Is badly injured. The vessel is the
German ship Elizabeth, Capt. Halberstadt,
from Hamburg to Baltimore, and not one of
her crew survives her wreck. Her cargo is
unknown, as the high seas have thxs far
prevented any attempt to reach her. 1t is
thought she is leaking badly. and at sunset
her masts were thought TO be giving way.
OF the life saving crew
THE FOLLOW sc WERE LOST:
ABEL BELANZA, captain of No. l, known
as Little Island
J. w. LAND, same station.
GEORGE w. STONE same.
J. a. BELANZA. of Dam Neck station, q
brother of Abel
JOSEPH SPRATLEY, of Dam Neck.
John Ethridge and Frank Tetfofr, Of NJ.
station, were washed ashore and rest1sct
tated. but Ethridge is so badly injured that
it is thought he cannot survive.
WASHINGTON, Jan. S.--The signal corps
at Dam Neck, Va. reports that the
masts of the stranded ship. Elizabeth, are
loose. and that she will probably be total
wreck. No particulars as to the casualties
beyond those contained i'll the Norfolk dis
patch have been received.